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Duffy Won't Challenge Baldwin

He said "this is not the right time" for him to run for Senate.

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Kimberly Railey

Feb. 16, 2017, 10:07 a.m.

Rep. Sean Duffy (R-07) announced he will not challenge Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) next year.

"Duffy's announcement opens the door for a number of potential Republican challengers who have been waiting for Duffy to decide whether he will mount a Senate campaign," including "Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, who has said repeatedly he could be interested in challenging Baldwin. Other names floated recently are Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, Madison businessman Eric Hovde, Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield and Milwaukee businessman and Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson."

Duffy: "After much prayer and deliberation, Rachel and I have decided that this is not the right time for me to run for Senate. We have eight great kids and family always comes first. Baldwin will be beat because her radically liberal Madison record and ideas are out of (sync) with Wisconsin. I look forward to helping our Republican nominee defeat her." (Wisconsin State Journal)

"National Republicans have already begun attacking Baldwin for her opposition to Trump Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch and have been trying to tie her to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. After holding on to Sen. Ron Johnson’s seat last fall, when Trump narrowly won the Badger State, Republicans are hopeful about knocking off the first-term Democrat. (Roll Call)